​Imagine being the artist who creates a code that even your country's intelligence agencies cannot crack! Carla Killough McClafferty shares this fascinating story with us, and it will get your kids thinking and talking about secret messages.

English/Language ArtsExplore literary devices - allusion

Author McClafferty give the sculpture Kryptos some very human traits. See if your students can find the examples of personification in this piece (Kryptos “waiting to be revealed” and standing “like a silent challenge”) and then see if they can explain why this choice works so well in the context of the rest of the Minute.

Author McClafferty tells us the sculpture is crafted from copper. Have your students explore why this would be a good materials choice for a sculpture like this. Are there other materials that may have worked? What is the process for cutting all of the letters out of the copper? How will the copper fare over time? Will this sculpture look the same in one hundred years?

ArtExplore sculpture as an art form

Sculpture is all around us, though sometimes we are not aware. Discuss the role of sculpture as a form of artistic expression. What are the advantages? Disadvantages? What about materials? Do we see sculpture of certain materials tied to geographical location? Why? Get your students looking for local examples of sculpture in their lives.

​Explore sculpture gardens

Take a peek at Wikipedia’s list of sculpture parks. Is there one nearby? You may be surprised - I found two within twenty miles of my home (one less than five). Maybe you should think about a field trip. Not feasible? Take a virtual field trip though these parks by searching them online!​

Research SkillsExplore media sources

This is the right Minute to take your students for a closer look at media sources. According to sculptor Jim Sanborn’s website, Kryptos has been the subject of five National Public Radio stories , on Good Morning America, New York Times, and more. Take this opportunity to explore further and compare what different news outlets have to say about Kryptos. Chart the news organizations with the focus of their stories and the audience they are marketed to. Do patterns emerge?